Feb 10

Feb 10 How to make a seasonal wreath

Wreaths have Christmas connotations and florists and decoration departments start selling them in early November to encourage our festive spirit. Of course, they look fabulous on the front door, but wreaths also work well as year-round decorations.

Depending on the season, you can incorporate apples, grapes, pomegranates, oranges, chili peppers studded with cloves, pine cones, or bundles of cinnamon sticks. Other decorative items such as shells, feathers, baubles, and little birds can usually be incorporated with clever wiring − and if all else fails, there’s always superglue!

You will need

At least ten 120−130cm lengths of ash, beech, or   willow twigs, stripped of their side branches
Secateurs/pruning shears
String, green twine, or raffia cut into one-metre   lengths
Seasonal flowers and leaves with stems as long   as possible
Other decorations of your choice
Florist’s wire cut into 15cm lengths

Method

Take four or five twigs firmly in one hand, as if they were a bunch of flowers. Wrap string or raffia around the base of the bunch several times and tie the string in a firm knot.

Add another bundle of twigs near the top of the first bunch, securing it in the same way, then bend the twigs around in a circle. (It can take a few attempts to get this right.)

Wrap string or raffia around the frame several times and tie in a firm knot to hold the twigs together securely. Do this in several places.

Thread in long-stemmed flowers and leaves, weaving the stems in and out of the twig frame.

To attach decorations such as shells (with holes drilled in them) and Christmas baubles, centre  the decoration on a short piece of florist’s wire, twist both ends of the wire together two or three times just above the decoration, wrap the wire around the frame, and secure by twisting the ends together again.

To attach fruit such as apples or oranges, skewer the fruit with a short length of florist’s wire, then wrap the wire ends around the frame, then twist them together to secure.